American Idol Alum 75 Pounds Lighter

by Jacki Donaldson (Subscribe to Jacki Donaldson's posts)
Mar 24th 2009 4:00PM

She may not have won on "American Idol" back in her day, but season 5 contestant Mandisa is definitely winning the battle of the bulge. Picked on for being fat for much of her life ("Idol" judge Simon Cowell chimed right in, announcing that the show needed a bigger stage to accommodate her), the 32-year-old locked her sights on dropping a few and is now 75 pounds lighter. How did she do it? The good old-fashioned way: Through diet and exercise.

Mandisa is a cardio girl who works out five days per week. And her diet is a healthy one, heavy on salads, lean meats and fiber. There's nothing extreme about how she's approaching her transformation -- she's making slow and steady progress, and the proof is in her clothing and her self-confidence. "Being able to fit into clothes I couldn't before is great," she says. "To be able to walk into a room and not feel self-conscious, I don't ever remember feeling this way."

Mandisa, a Grammy-nominated Christian singer, had long-embraced food as her drug of choice, after being sexually abused as a child and teen. Once she started "using," her problems only got worse -- classmates taunted her, a health insurance company denied her coverage and just last summer while on vacation, she was so out of breath she couldn't see all the sights. That's when she decided she needed to lose 100 pounds.

The "Idol" alum, whose new album "Freedom" releases today, is committed to her new routine, and while she's still 25 pounds from her goal, she's taking a realistic approach about what's to come. "I want to be healthy, and I believe my body will get to whatever it's supposed to be," she says. "It could be a size 8 – but personally I like a girl with a little meat on her bones! I don't need to look like the models on the magazine covers in order to be beautiful." Indeed, she is beautiful. Check out her before and after pics here.

American Idol Body Transformations

By Gabrielle Linzer

'Shape Magazine' reported that Grammy-winning vegetarian Carrie Underwood has dropped between 15 and 20 pounds since her Idol days by hitting the treadmill, swimming and sticking to healthy eats. Although she admits to a weakness for cheese, Underwood prevents herself from overindulging by keeping a food diary and carrying around whole grain Kashi bars wherever she goes.

Stephen Shugerman, Getty Images

Though he has dropped almost 100 pounds, American Idol (AI) season 2 victor Ruben Studdard, is as cuddly as ever. According to MSNBC, Studdard kicked his weight loss into high gear in order to avoid being struck by one of numerous diseases that run in his family including diabetes and high blood pressure. By attending a weight management center at Duke University, he was able to learn how to make healthier choices and upon leaving, adopted a vegetarian diet.

Katy Winn, Getty Images

Kelly Clarkson, the original queen of AI, reportedly does not believe in diets. However, we hear that since AI, she has refined her eating habits (focusing on portion control) and amping up her fitness routine instead of following any particular diet plan. Clarkson told 'Us Weekly' that she indulges in her penchant for chocolate, but only to a certain point. and sprints around concert arenas work best for this belting beauty.

Getty Images

Along with his daily 45 minute runs and energetic stage performances, 'People Magazine' reports Taylor Hicks was able to drop 22 pounds, which we think has helped given him an uncanny resemblance to George Clooney. Plus, cutting back on his beloved Southern fried foods and upping his intake of brown rice, salad, chicken soup couldn't have hurt.

Mark Mainz, Getty Images

After a five-year battle with bulimia, AI season 5 runner-up Katherine McPhee managed to drop 30 pounds the healthy way by sticking to the Intuitive eating plan. She told Shape Magazine that the plan worked because she can munch on anything she pleases, but when she's full, she stops. Exercise-wise McPhee tones her muscles with weight training and likes to walk on the treadmill for 45 minutes four to five days a week.

Steve Granitz, WireImage.com

Oscar-winning Dreamgirl Jennifer Hudson knows how to have a good time, but don't ask her to stay out late partying: It's been reported by 'Us Weekly' that J-Hud wakes up before dawn for her daily run, followed by squats, push-ups and sit-ups. This AI Season 3 finalist dropped 60 pounds through her rigorous workout routine and a healthy diet that included staple items such as salads, grilled chicken and cranberry juice. When she needs an energy boost, Hudson turns to a stash of diet-smart snacks: almonds, cashews, and raisins.

Frazer Harrison, Getty Images

AI season 2 finalist Kimberley Locke reportedly lost about 25 pounds weight with the help of a stint on 'Celebrity Fit Club.' But when she wanted to drop another 40, she called Jenny Craig. Along with the help of her "Jenny" diet, Locke began jumping rope for exercise.

Alberto E. Rodriguez, Getty Images

'US Weekly' dubbed Kellie Pickler "the next Jessica Simpson," and like her blond counterpart, the AI season 5 finalist also got serious about shaping up. Pickler gained nearly 20 pounds munching on candy backstage during her time on the show. But by taking simple measures, such as replacing offstage sweets with vegetables, she eliminated almost all junk food from her diet. Pickler stays fit by playing football with band members and with a killer ab routine, in which she does 100 crunches a day on her tour bus.

Gregg DeGuire, WireImage.com

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Comments (7)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

urachikadee 3-24-2009 @ 8:29PM

My girlfriend bought me this cookbook called "Get in the Kitchen, BIT@HES!" (bitchcooks.com) cause I like to cook. So now whenever she comes over, she keeps asking "What's for dinner Bit@h?" or "Get in the damn kitchen, and make me some dinner, BIT@H" Yeah.. I don't think I'm gonna take that crap from her anymore, so tonight I am making the "**** ** Boots! Lamb", and gonna serve it to her in a pair of my old shoes.. there's your damn dinner bit@h!

dxbeen 3-24-2009 @ 10:04PM

Good for Mandisa. Go girl! I know what it's like to try and lose weight. I lost 47 pounds in 6 weeks using the Rapidthin diet at www.rapidthin.com. Good luck to all. Use what works for you.

Judy 3-24-2009 @ 10:22PM

This article takes the comment by Simon on Idol way out of context. He did say they needed a bigger stage for her but not because of her size. He was referring to her voice and talent. These people will write anything...they get the comment right but it had NOTHING to do with what they were talking about.. I hate journalists...they try to make the stories juicy to get them to sell whether it's real or not.

michelle 3-24-2009 @ 10:41PM

are you high??? he was VERY much commenting on her weight when he said they needed a bigger stage... he was NOT talking about singing ability... get real.

TOOTTIE 3-26-2009 @ 5:49AM

SO TRUE I HEARD THE SAME REMARK, THESE PEOPLE ALWAYS STIRING UP ----.

andy 3-24-2009 @ 10:42PM

i dont know what you saw, but he was calling her fat, it was very obvious, Simon is crude and rude and does it for shock value, he said they needed a bigger stage this year because she was very overweight, it was cruel and insensitive but Simon isnt known for being sensitive.

simpsongzr 3-26-2009 @ 4:21PM

Who cares if she lost it!It will come back to huant her when she bags a fool in bed,gets all lazy after thinking he is trapped by a ring or child birth.Eat,Eat,Eat.....Bye,Bye,Bye!!